Table Of ContentCD INCLUDED! CD INCLUDED!
MUSCHLA
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Math Teacher’s Survival Guide
GRADES 5-12
AMs a math teahcher yToue havae anc exhtremeely rdem’asndi nSg urvPiravisea folr t hGe Muath iTedacheer’s Survival Guide
job—you must plan and deliver meaningful math
instruction, met the neds of the diverse range of “B egining and experienced math teachers alike are sure Math Teacher’s
students in your classroom, teach problem-solving and to benefi t from this book’s comprehensive collection of
critical thinking skills, integrate technology in student practical advice, useful tips for classroom management,
learning, and prepare students for standardized tests. lesson planning, and instruction. It will help math
In your “spare” time you must take attendance, grade teachers become valuable members of their teaching
papers and tests, keep records, maintain order in communities.”
the clasrom, and comunicate with parents and —L AUREN KOLMER, 6th grade mathematics teacher, Milburn Survival Guide
administrators. Middle School, Millburn, New Jersey
In the newest addition to the Jossey-Bass Teacher “The Math Teacher’s Survival Guide is an excellent
Survival Guide series, Judith, Gary, and Erin Muschla resource for all math teachers, no matter what they Practical Strategies, Management Techniques, and
offer a wealth of practical advice that will help both new might encounter on the job, including preparing to teach;
and seasoned teachers to develop the skils necessary classroom organization and management; student, Reproducibles for New and Experienced Teachers
to succeed in this most challenging profession. The Math parent, and colleague interactions; acquisition of class-
Teacher’s Survival Guide includes room materials and instructional ideas; and student
evaluation and record keeping.”
• R ealistic strategies for planning and delivering the —M ICHAEL SCHIRO, Ph.D., associate professor, Lynch School of
most effective math instruction Education, Boston College
• H elp for achieving excellence and remaining “An excellent resource not only for the mathematics
enthusiastic about teaching teacher but for all middle and high school teachers. It
• R eproducible forms to help you stay on top of contains an extensive compilation of practical ideas and
everything you need to do, also featured on a CD for information that will smooth the rocky path to develop-
your convenience ing mathematics content knowledge and a love for the
subject.”
• N umerous sources for additional information, web sites, —G ERALD R. FAST, PH.D., professor of mathematics education,
a list of references, and suggested readings University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
The Math Teacher’s Survival Guide is designed to help
you manage daily classroom demands while you continue
to grow as a passionate professional.
JUDITH MUSCHLA has taught mathematics in South River, New Jersey, for over twenty-fi ve years. GARY ROBERT MUSCHLA
taught reading, writing, and math for more than twenty-fi ve years in Spotswood, New Jersey. ERIN MUSCHLA teaches 7th
grade math at Applegarth Middle School in Monroe, New Jersey.
GRADES
Gary and Judith are the coauthors of The Math Teacher’s Book of Lists, Hands-on Math Projects with Real-Life Applications,
5-12
Math Starters, The Geometry Teacher’s Activities Kit, Math Smart, The Math Teacher’s Problem-a-Day,
and Algebra Teacher’s Activities Kit, all published by Jossey-Bass.
EDUCATION
$32.95 U.S. | $39.95 Canada
www.josseybass.com
Cover design by Michael Cook TEACHER Judith A. Muschla • Gary Robert Muschla • Erin Muschla
2
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Math Teacher’s Survival Guide
Jossey-Bass Teacher
ossey-Bass Teacher provides educators with practical knowledge and tools to
create a positive and lifelong impact on student learning. We offer classroom-
J tested and research-based teaching resources for a variety of grade levels and
subject areas. Whether you are an aspiring, new, or veteran teacher, we want to help
you make every teaching day your best.
From ready-to-use classroom activities to the latest teaching framework, our value-
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topics that matter most to K–12 teachers. We hope to become your trusted source
for the best ideas from the most experienced and respected experts in the field.
Math Teacher’s
Survival Guide
Practical Strategies, Management Techniques,
and Reproducibles for New and Experienced
Teachers, Grades 5–12
JUDITH A. MUSCHLA
GARY ROBERT MUSCHLA
ERIN MUSCHLA
Copyright 2010 by Judith A. Muschla, Gary Robert Muschla, and Erin Muschla. All rights reserved.
Published by Jossey-Bass
A Wiley Imprint
989 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741—www.josseybass.com
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
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Permission is given for individual classroom teachers to reproduce the pages and illustrations for classroom use. Reproduction of these
materials for an entire school system is strictly forbidden.
Readers should be aware that Internet Web sites offered as citations and/or sources for further information may have changed or
disappeared between the time this was written and when it is read.
The materials on the accompanying CD-ROM are designed for use in a group setting and may be customized and reproduced for
educational/training purposes. The reproducible pages are designated by the appearance of the following copyright notice at the foot of
each page:
Copyright 2010 Judith A. Muschla, Gary Robert Muschla, and Erin Muschla. All rights reserved.
This notice must appear on all reproductions as printed.
This free permission is restricted to limited customization of the CD-ROM materials for your organization and the paper reproduction
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ISBN 978-0-4704-0764-6
Printed in the United States of America
FIRST EDITION
PB Printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
About This Book
he demands on math teachers have never been greater. Not only must they
plan and deliver fundamental math instruction that meets state standards
T and satisfies the needs of diverse learners, they must teach problem-solving
and critical-thinking skills, integrate technology in student learning, and prepare
their students for standardized tests. Along with all this they must efficiently manage
the other typical teacher responsibilities—grading papers, record keeping, handling
behavior issues, and interacting with students, staff members, administrators, and
parents and guardians. There never seems to be enough time in the school day to do
all that must be done.
Teaching math, without question, can be stressful and frustrating, and balancing
a career with personal and family life can be a constant struggle. Yet teaching
math can also be a wonderfully satisfying and enjoyable career. Few things are as
professionally rewarding as knowing you are working in an exciting and important
field and helping to prepare students for a successful future.
The Math Teacher’s Survival Guide, Grades 5–12 is designed for the experienced and
the new math teacher. The guide, which supports the Standards and Focal Points
of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), provides useful
information and practical suggestions for making your classroom a dynamic center
for student learning. Addressing essential topics from the start of the school year to
its end, the guide will help you organize your teaching day, meet the daily challenges
of providing effective instruction, and manage the routines that ensure learning in
a classroom that celebrates responsibility, hard work, and respect for others.
v
vi ABOUT THIS BOOK
Designed for easy use, the guide has several helpful features, including:
A logical, step-by-step approach that offers helpful information on key topics
A detailed Table of Contents that enables you to find topics quickly
Cross-referencing of topics that allows you to easily access further infor-
mation
Numerous sources of additional information, including Web sites for both
math teachers and students, as well as a list of References and Suggested
Reading at the end of the book
Reproducible management forms for teachers (also on CD and available at
www.josseybass.com/go/mathteachersurvival.com).
Reproducible information sheets for students (also on CD and available at
www.josseybass.com/go/mathteachersurvival.com).
A Quick Review at the end of each section that highlights major ideas and
vital information
The Math Teacher’s Survival Guide, Grades 5–12 will help you not just to survive the
daily demands of teaching, but will also help you to continue to grow professionally
and become the best math teacher you can be. Our best wishes for a productive,
successful, and rewarding year.
Judith A. Muschla
Gary Robert Muschla
Erin Muschla
The Authors
udith A. Muschla received her B.A. in Mathematics from Douglass College at
Rutgers University and is certified to teach K–12. She taught mathematics in
J South River, New Jersey, for over twenty-five years. She taught at various levels
at both South River High School and South River Middle School. In her capacity as
a team leader at the middle school she helped revise the mathematics curriculum
to reflect the Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics,
coordinated interdisciplinary units, and conducted mathematics workshops for
teachers and parents. She was a recipient of the 1990–1991 Governor’s Teacher
Recognition Program award in New Jersey, and was named 2002 South River Public
School District Teacher of the Year. She has also been a member of the state Review
Panel for New Jersey’s Mathematics Core Curriculum Content Standards.
Together, Judith and Gary Muschla have coauthored several math books pub-
lished by Jossey-Bass: Hands-on Math Projects with Real-Life Applications, Grades 3–5
(2009); The Math Teacher’s Problem-a-Day, Grades 4–8 (2008); Hands-on Math Projects
with Real-Life Applications, Grades 6–12 (1996; second edition, 2006); The Math Teacher’s
Book of Lists (1995; second edition, 2005); Math Games: 180 Reproducible Activities to
Motivate, Excite, and Challenge Students, Grades 6–12 (2004); Algebra Teacher’s Activities
Kit (2003); Math Smart! Over 220 Ready-to-Use Activities to Motivate and Challenge Students,
Grades 6–12 (2002); Geometry Teacher’s Activities Kit (2000); and Math Starters! 5- to
10-Minute Activities to Make Kids Think, Grades 6–12 (1999).
vii
viii THE AUTHORS
ary Robert Muschla received his B.A. and M.A.T. from Trenton State College
and taught in Spotswood, New Jersey, for more than twenty-five years. He spent
G many of those years in the classroom teaching mathematics at the elementary
school level. He has also taught reading and writing and is a successful author. He
is a member of the Authors Guild and the National Writers Association.
In addition to math resources, he has written several resources for English and
writing teachers, among them Writing Workshop Survival Kit (1993; second edition,
2005); The Writing Teacher’s Book of Lists (1991; second edition, 2004); Ready-to-Use
Reading Proficiency Lessons and Activities, 10th Grade Level (2003); Ready-to-Use Reading
Proficiency Lessons and Activities, 8th Grade Level (2002); Ready-to-Use Reading Proficiency
Lessons and Activities, 4th Grade Level (2002); Reading Workshop Survival Kit (1997); and
English Teacher’s Great Books Activities Kit (1994), all published by Jossey-Bass.
rin Muschla received her B.S. and M.Ed. from The College of New Jersey and
is certified K–8 in elementary education with Mathematics Specialization in
E Grades 5–8. She currently teaches seventh-grade math at Applegarth Middle
School in Monroe, New Jersey.
